OBJECTIVE To systematically review the status on pharmacist competency assessment tools both domestically and internationally， providing a theoretical basis for constructing scientific and applicable pharmacist competency assessment tools in China. METHODS Through literature review and comparative analysis， 15 representative domestic and international pharmacist competency assessment tools were systematically summarized， and their theoretical foundations， core dimensions， methodological characteristics and practical applications were compared and implications were given. RESULTS &CONCLUSIONS International research has established relatively mature evaluation systems. Represented by those developed from the United Kingdom， the United States， and the International Pharmaceutical Federation， these assessment tools demonstrate scientific structure， wide application， and dynamic and international applicability. While domestic research has progressed in sub-specialties such as clinical pharmacists， licensed pharmacists and pediatric pharmacists， it still faces challenges including insufficient standardization， inadequate validation， delayed updates， and limitations in practical application. The reasons for the disparities in assessment tools between China and other countries include differences in pharmaceutical care models， varying pharmacist training systems， cultural and social background factors， as well as differences in industry management and international influence. Based on this， the author suggests promoting the development and research of assessment tools for pharmacist job competency in China from four aspects： mechanism construction， system refinement， standardization development， and practical implementation.

The doublecortin (DCX) gene encodes DCX, a microtubule-associated protein that plays a crucial role in brain development. DCX variants can disrupt microtubule binding and stabilization, interfere with intracellular transport, and affect post-translational modifications. A correlation exists between variant types and clinical severity. Animal models and induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC) models simulating DCX deficiency revealed the dynamic progression of the disease, which has provided a powerful tool for investigating disease mechanisms and screening therapeutic agents. Currently there is no cure for DCX variants, with treatment primarily relying on anti-epileptic drugs and symptom management. Basic research is now offering new avenues for future therapeutic approaches. This article has summarized the potential pathogenic mechanisms and therapeutic strategies for the DCX variants, with an aim to provide insights for clinical treatment.
Humans ; Doublecortin Protein ; Doublecortin Domain Proteins ; Animals ; Neuropeptides/metabolism* ; Microtubule-Associated Proteins/metabolism* ; Mutation

ObjectiveTo investigate the value of different noninvasive diagnostic models in the diagnosis of esophageal and gastric varices since there is a high risk of esophageal and gastric varices in patients with compensated hepatitis B cirrhosis and significant portal hypertension， and to provide a basis for the early diagnosis of esophageal and gastric varices. MethodsA total of 108 patients with significant portal hypertension due to compensated hepatitis B cirrhosis who attended Guangdong Provincial Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine from November 2017 to November 2023 were enrolled， and according to the presence or absence of esophageal and gastric varices under gastroscopy， they were divided into esophageal and gastric varices group （GOV group） and non-esophageal and gastric varices group （NGOV group）. Related data were collected， including age， sex， imaging findings， and laboratory markers. The chi-square test was used for comparison of categorical data between groups； the least significant difference t-test was used for comparison of normally distributed continuous data between groups， and the Mann-Whitney U test was used for comparison of non-normally distributed continuous data between groups. The receiver operating characteristic （ROC） curve was plotted to evaluate the diagnostic value of five scoring models， i.e.， fibrosis-4 （FIB-4）， LOK index， LPRI， aspartate aminotransferase-to-platelet ratio index （APRI）， and aspartate aminotransferase/alanine aminotransferase ratio （AAR）. The binary logistic regression method was used to establish a combined model， and the area under the ROC curve （AUC） was compared between the combined model and each scoring model used alone. The Delong test was used to compare the AUC value between any two noninvasive diagnostic models. ResultsThere were 55 patients in the GOV group and 53 patients in the NGOV group. Compared with the NGOV group， the GOV group had a significantly higher age （52.64±1.44 years vs 47.96±1.68 years， t=0.453， P<0.05） and significantly lower levels of alanine aminotransferase ［42.00 （24.00 — 17.00） U/L vs 82.00 （46.00 — 271.00） U/L， Z=-3.065， P<0.05］， aspartate aminotransferase ［44.00 （32.00 — 96.00） U/L vs 62.00 （42.50 — 154.50） U/L，Z=-2.351， P<0.05］， and platelet count ［100.00 （69.00 — 120.00）×10⁹/L vs 119.00 （108.50 — 140.50）×10⁹/L， Z=-3.667， P<0.05］. The ROC curve analysis showed that FIB-4， LOK index， LPRI， and AAR used alone had an accuracy of 0.667， 0.681， 0.730， and 0.639， respectively， in the diagnosis of esophageal and gastric varices （all P<0.05）， and the positive diagnostic rates of GOV were 69.97%， 65.28%， 67.33%， and 58.86%， respectively， with no significant differences in AUC values （all P>0.05）， while APRI used alone had no diagnostic value （P>0.05）. A combined model （LAF） was established based on the binary logistic regression analysis and had an AUC of 0.805 and a positive diagnostic rate of GOV of 75.80%， with a significantly higher AUC than FIB-4， LOK index， LPRI， and AAR used alone （Z=-2.773，-2.479，-2.206， and-2.672， all P<0.05）. ConclusionFIB-4， LOK index， LPRI， and AAR have a similar diagnostic value for esophageal and gastric varices in patients with compensated hepatitis B cirrhosis and significant portal hypertension， and APRI alone has no diagnostic value. The combined model LAF had the best diagnostic efficacy， which provides a certain reference for clinical promotion and application.

Purpose: The aim of this study was to investigate the feasibility of an intelligent handheld ultrasound (US) device for assisting non-expert general practitioners (GPs) in detecting carotid plaques (CPs) in community populations. Methods: This prospective parallel controlled trial recruited 111 consecutive community residents. All of them underwent examinations by non-expert GPs and specialist doctors using handheld US devices (setting A, setting B, and setting C). The results of setting C with specialist doctors were considered the gold standard. Carotid intima-media thickness (CIMT) and the features of CPs were measured and recorded. The diagnostic performance of GPs in distinguishing CPs was evaluated using a receiver operating characteristic curve. Inter-observer agreement was compared using the intragroup correlation coefficient (ICC). Questionnaires were completed to evaluate clinical benefits. Results: Among the 111 community residents, 80, 96, and 112 CPs were detected in settings A, B, and C, respectively. Setting B exhibited better diagnostic performance than setting A for detecting CPs (area under the curve, 0.856 vs. 0.749; P<0.01). Setting B had better consistency with setting C than setting A in CIMT measurement and the assessment of CPs (ICC, 0.731 to 0.923). Moreover, measurements in setting B required less time than the other two settings (44.59 seconds vs. 108.87 seconds vs. 126.13 seconds, both P<0.01). Conclusion Using an intelligent handheld US device, GPs can perform CP screening and achieve a diagnostic capability comparable to that of specialist doctors.

Purpose: The aim of this study was to investigate the feasibility of an intelligent handheld ultrasound (US) device for assisting non-expert general practitioners (GPs) in detecting carotid plaques (CPs) in community populations. Methods: This prospective parallel controlled trial recruited 111 consecutive community residents. All of them underwent examinations by non-expert GPs and specialist doctors using handheld US devices (setting A, setting B, and setting C). The results of setting C with specialist doctors were considered the gold standard. Carotid intima-media thickness (CIMT) and the features of CPs were measured and recorded. The diagnostic performance of GPs in distinguishing CPs was evaluated using a receiver operating characteristic curve. Inter-observer agreement was compared using the intragroup correlation coefficient (ICC). Questionnaires were completed to evaluate clinical benefits. Results: Among the 111 community residents, 80, 96, and 112 CPs were detected in settings A, B, and C, respectively. Setting B exhibited better diagnostic performance than setting A for detecting CPs (area under the curve, 0.856 vs. 0.749; P<0.01). Setting B had better consistency with setting C than setting A in CIMT measurement and the assessment of CPs (ICC, 0.731 to 0.923). Moreover, measurements in setting B required less time than the other two settings (44.59 seconds vs. 108.87 seconds vs. 126.13 seconds, both P<0.01). Conclusion Using an intelligent handheld US device, GPs can perform CP screening and achieve a diagnostic capability comparable to that of specialist doctors.

Purpose: The aim of this study was to investigate the feasibility of an intelligent handheld ultrasound (US) device for assisting non-expert general practitioners (GPs) in detecting carotid plaques (CPs) in community populations. Methods: This prospective parallel controlled trial recruited 111 consecutive community residents. All of them underwent examinations by non-expert GPs and specialist doctors using handheld US devices (setting A, setting B, and setting C). The results of setting C with specialist doctors were considered the gold standard. Carotid intima-media thickness (CIMT) and the features of CPs were measured and recorded. The diagnostic performance of GPs in distinguishing CPs was evaluated using a receiver operating characteristic curve. Inter-observer agreement was compared using the intragroup correlation coefficient (ICC). Questionnaires were completed to evaluate clinical benefits. Results: Among the 111 community residents, 80, 96, and 112 CPs were detected in settings A, B, and C, respectively. Setting B exhibited better diagnostic performance than setting A for detecting CPs (area under the curve, 0.856 vs. 0.749; P<0.01). Setting B had better consistency with setting C than setting A in CIMT measurement and the assessment of CPs (ICC, 0.731 to 0.923). Moreover, measurements in setting B required less time than the other two settings (44.59 seconds vs. 108.87 seconds vs. 126.13 seconds, both P<0.01). Conclusion Using an intelligent handheld US device, GPs can perform CP screening and achieve a diagnostic capability comparable to that of specialist doctors.

OBJECTIVE: Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a major health concern in northwest China; however, the impact of particulate matter (PM) exposure during sand-dust storms (SDS) remains poorly understood. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the association between PM exposure on SDS days and COPD hospitalization risk in arid regions. METHODS: Data on daily COPD hospitalizations were collected from 323 hospitals from 2018 to 2022, along with the corresponding air pollutant and meteorological data for each city in Gansu Province. Employing a space-time-stratified case-crossover design and conditional Poisson regression, we analyzed 265,379 COPD hospitalizations. RESULTS: PM exposure during SDS days significantly increased COPD hospitalization risk [relative risk ( RR) for PM _2.5, lag 3:1.028, 95% confidence interval ( CI): 1.021-1.034], particularly among men and the elderly, and during the cold season. The burden of PM exposure on COPD hospitalization was substantially high in Northwest China, especially in the arid and semi-arid regions. CONCLUSION Our findings revealed a positive correlation between PM exposure during SDS episodes and elevated hospitalization rates for COPD in arid and semi-arid zones in China. This highlights the urgency of developing region-specific public health strategies to address adverse respiratory outcomes associated with SDS-related air quality deterioration.
Humans ; China/epidemiology* ; Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive/chemically induced* ; Particulate Matter/analysis* ; Hospitalization/statistics & numerical data* ; Male ; Female ; Middle Aged ; Aged ; Air Pollutants/analysis* ; Environmental Exposure/adverse effects* ; Spatio-Temporal Analysis ; Adult ; Sand ; Air Pollution

Objective:To discuss the effect of long non-coding RNA(lncRNA)DUXAP8 in exosomes(Exo)derived from the lung cancer A549 cells on the growth and immune escape of the lung cancer cells,and to clarify the mechanism.Methods:The human lung cancer cell line A549 was cultured,and its exosomes were extracted and identified.The A549 cells were treated with PKH67-labeled Exo to observe the uptake of Exo by A549 cells.Real-time fluorescence quantitative PCR(RT-qPCR)method was used to detect the expression level of lncRNA DUXAP8 in A549 cells before and after Exo treatment.The A549 cells were divided into control group(no treatment),Exo group(A549 cells treated with Exo),Exo+sh-NC group(A549 cells treated with Exo and then transfected with sh-NC),and Exo+sh-DUXAP8 group(A549 cells treated with Exo and then transfected with sh-DUXAP8).RT-qPCR method was used to detect the expression level of lncRNA DUXAP8 in A549 cells in various groups;colony formation assay was used to detect the colony formation abilities of the A549 cells in various groups;5-ethynyl-2'-deoxyuridine(EdU)staining method was used to detect the proliferation abilities of the A549 cells in various groups.After co-culturing A549 cells in various groups with human peripheral blood lymphocytes,flow cytometry was used to detect the percentages of activated CD8+T lymphocytes in the human peripheral blood lymphocytes in various groups;3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide(MTT)method was used to detect the killing rates of human peripheral blood lymphocytes on the A549 cells in various groups.Results:The diameter of Exo vesicles was 50-150 nm,and the exosome-specific marker proteins cluster of differentiation 63(CD63),cluster of differentiation 9(CD9),tumor susceptibility gene 101(TSG101),and heat shock protein 70(HSP70)were positively expressed,indicating successful exosome extraction.A549 cells efficiently took up PKH67-labeled Exo.The RT-PCR results showed that compared with A549 cells cultured alone,the expression level of lncRNA DUXAP8 in the A549 cells was increased after treatment with Exo derived from A549 cells(P<0.05).compared with control group,the expression level of lncRNA DUXAP8 in the A549 cells in Exo group was increased(P<0.05);compared with Exo group,the expression level of lncRNA DUXAP8 in the A549 cells in Exo+sh-DUXAP8 group was decreased(P<0.05),while there were no significant difference in the expression level of IncRNA DUXAP8 in the cells in Exo+sh-NC group(P>0.05).The colony formation assay results showed that compared with control group,the number of colony formation of the A549 cells in Exo group was increased(P<0.05);compared with Exo group,the number of colony formation of the A549 cells in Exo+sh-DUXAP8 group was decreased(P<0.05),while there was no significant difference in the number of colony formation of the A549 cells in Exo+sh-NC group(P>0.05).The EdU staining results showed that compared with control group,the EdU-positive rate of the A549 cells in Exo group was increased(P<0.05);compared with Exo group,the EdU-positive rate in A549 cells in Exo+sh-DUXAP8 group was decreased(P<0.05),while there was no significant difference in the EDU-positive rate in the cells in Exo+sh-NC group(P>0.05).The flow cytometry results showed that compared with control group,the percentage of activated CD8+T lymphocytes in the human peripheral blood lymphocytes in Exo group was decreased(P<0.05);compared with Exo group,the percentage of activated CD8+T lymphocytes in the human peripheral blood lymphocytes in Exo+sh-DUXAP8 group was increased(P<0.05),while there was no significant difference in the percentage of activated CD8+T lymphaytes in Exo+sh-NC group(P>0.05).The MTT assay results showed that compared with control group,the killing rate of human peripheral blood lymphocytes on the A549 cells in Exo group was decreased(P<0.05);compared with Exo group,the killing rate of human peripheral blood lymphocytes on A549 cells in Exo+sh-DUXAP8 group was increased(P<0.05),while no significant difference was observed in Exo+sh-NC group(P>0.05).Conclusion:The lncRNA DUXAP8 in exosomes derived from the lung cancer A549 cells promotes the proliferation of lung cancer cells and tumor immune escape.

Objective To describe the clinical features of patients with primary sclerosing cholangitis(PSC)in China based on a nationwide multicenter patient cohort,and to investigate the risk factors for prognosis.Methods A retrospective cohort study was conducted among the patients with a confirmed diagnosis of PSC based on the electronic medical record system of seven grade A tertiary hospitals across the country,and related data were extracted.The Mann-Whitney U test was used for comparison of continuous data between groups,and the chi-square test was used for comparison of categorical data between groups.The Kaplan-Meier method was used to estimate liver transplant-free survival,and the log-rank test was used for comparison of survival rate between PSC patients with different features.The Cox regression model was used to identify independent risk factors for the prognosis of PSC patients and the interactions between key factors.Results A total of 107 patients were enrolled,among whom 55.6%(55/99)had large-duct PSC and 29.0%(31/107)had comorbidity with inflammatory bowel disease(IBD).The positivity rate of anti-neutrophil cytoplasmic antibody(ANCA)was 32.9%(24/73),and 50.0%(40/80)of the patients had an increase in IgG/IgM.The median symptom-to-diagnosis interval was 1 year(<1-4.0),and 38.3%(41/107)of the patients had progressed to decompensated cirrhosis at the time of diagnosis.The median liver transplant-free survival time was 114 months(95%confidence interval[CI]:62-166),with a 5-year survival rate of 65.7%.The multivariate analysis showed that an increase in total bile acid(TBA)(hazard ratio[HR]=1.006,95%CI:1.002-1.010,P=0.001)and a prolonged symptom-to-diagnosis interval(HR=1.252,95%CI:1.059-1.480,P=0.009)were independent risk factors for prognosis.The interaction analysis showed that compared with the female patients with TBA<50 μmol/L,both male and female patients with TBA≥50 μmol/L had a significant increase in the risk of liver transplantation or death(male:HR=16.563,95%CI:2.103-130.449,P<0.001;female:HR=17.009,95%CI:2.113-136.934,P<0.001),and compared with the patients with an age of<45 years and a TBA level of<50 μmol/L,the patients with an age of≥45 years and a TBA level of≥50 μmol/L had a significant increase in the risk of liver transplantation or death(HR=10.729,95%CI:1.325-86.859,P=0.026).Compared with the female patients with an symptom-to-diagnosis interval of≤2 years,the male patients with a symptom-to-diagnosis interval of>2 years had an increased risk of liver transplantation or death(HR=4.825,95%CI:1.725-13.644,P=0.003),and compared with the patients with an age of<45 years and a symptom-to-diagnosis interval of≤2 years,the patients with an age of<45 years and a symptom-to-diagnosis interval of>2 years had an increased risk of liver transplantation or death(HR=4.983,95%CI:1.366-18.173,P=0.015).Conclusion Compared with the reports from Western countries,large-duct PSC is also the main type of PSC in China,but with a relatively low proportion,and there is also a relatively low proportion of patients with IBD or positive ANCA.An increase in TBA and a prolonged symptom-to-diagnosis interval are independent risk factors for prognosis,with significant interactions with age and sex.This suggests that early screening and intervention should be enhanced to improve prognosis.

Objective:To evaluate the clinical efficacy and safety of dupilumab in the treatment of pediatric prurigo nodularis (PN), and to explore factors associated with the treatment response.Methods:A retrospective analysis was conducted on clinical data from 26 children with PN who received dupilumab treatment at the Institute of Dermatology and Venereology, Sichuan Provincial People's Hospital between December 2022 and January 2025. Primary efficacy endpoints were the proportion of patients achieving investigator's global assessment-activity (IGA PN-A) and stage (IGA PN-S) scores of 0/1 at week 8; secondary efficacy endpoints included the proportion of patients achieving a ≥ 4-point reduction in the pruritus numerical rating scale (NRS) and changes in laboratory parameters. Paired t tests or Wilcoxon signed-rank tests were used for pre- and post-treatment comparisons; generalized estimating equation models were applied to evaluate changes in eczema area and severity index (EASI) scores over time; univariate logistic regression analysis was performed to calculate odds ratios ( ORs) and 95% confidence intervals ( CIs) to analyze factors influencing efficacy. Results:Among the 26 children with PN, 14 (53.8%) were males and 12 (46.2%) were females, with ages ( M[ Q1, Q3]) of 4.50 (3.00, 9.25) years and disease duration of 1.00 (0.48, 2.25) years. Twenty-four (92.3%) patients had comorbid atopic diseases, including 17 with allergic rhinitis and 15 with atopic dermatitis (AD). At week 8, IGA PN-A scores decreased from 3.27 ± 0.53 points at baseline to 1.31 ± 0.84 points ( t = 10.44, P < 0.001), with 16 (61.5%) patients achieving IGA PN-A 0/1; IGA PN-S scores decreased from 3.15 ± 0.46 points at baseline to 1.73 ± 0.78 points ( t = 10.33, P < 0.001), with 10 (38.5%) patients achieving IGA PN-S 0/1; pruritus NRS scores decreased from 5.00 (5.00, 6.00) points at baseline to 2.00 (1.00, 3.00) points ( Z = -3.82, P < 0.001), with 10 (38.5%) patients achieving a ≥ 4-point reduction in NRS scores. At week 40, 7 patients who continued treatment achieved complete remission. Univariate logistic regression showed that head/face involvement ( OR = 7.000, 95% CI: 1.200 - 40.829) and disease duration of < 1 year ( OR = 7.000, 95% CI: 1.200 - 40.829) were associated with better treatment response, while baseline IGA scores of 4 points predicted poorer outcomes ( OR = 0.114, 95% CI: 0.017 - 0.742). During treatment, conjunctivitis and local infection occurred in 2 cases without discontinuation, and no serious adverse events occurred in any of the cases. Conclusions:Dupilumab demonstrated rapid and sustained efficacy in pediatric PN with a favorable safety profile. Head/face involvement, shorter disease duration, and lower baseline severity were associated with better treatment response.